The Helmand Valley Project in Afghanistan

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Abstract:

A highly complex irrigation and resettlement effort to harness the water reserves of the Helmand River, the Helmand Valley Development Project consisted of 25 projects assisted by the Agency for International Development A.I.D. and its predecessor, the Technical Cooperation Agency. Official U.S. involvement began in 1949, and ended in 1979, with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. As this paper makes clear, the growth in agricultural productivity and income in the valley over this period were impressive. However, by 1975, inadequate attention to drainage and salinization problems had begun to cause serious deterioration in farm conditions. If allowed to persist, these problems will eventually undermine whatever gains were made over the past three decades.

Author(s):
Clapp-wincek, Cynthia ; Baldwin, Emily
Author Organization(s):
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WASHINGTON DC
Descriptive Note:
Special study no. 18
Supplementary Note:
A.I.D. Evaluation Special Study
Pagination:
0069

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
PN-AAL-028
Monitor Series:
AID
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_5.3.2_Apply Situational Understanding; JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_4.6.1_General Engineering; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_5.5_Direct; JCA_5.5.1_Communicate Intent and Guidance; JCA_4.7.2_Installation Services; JCA_4.7_Base and Installations Support; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_6.4_Information Assurance; JCA_8.2_Shape; JCA_8.2.2_Provide Aid to Foreign Partners and Institutions; JCA_1.4_Force Support; JCA_1.3_Human Capital Management; JCA_1.4.1_Force Health Protection
Modernization Areas:
Autonomy
Communities of Interest:
Biomedical
Descriptor(s):
*RIVERS, *INFRASTRUCTURE, *AFGHANISTAN, *IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, *LESSONS LEARNED, *RURAL AREAS, HISTORY, PRODUCTIVITY, SALINITY, AGRICULTURE, FARMS, INCOME, WATER SUPPLIES, CANALS, DAMS, FOREIGN AID, DRAINAGE, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, POPULATION, HEALTH, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, DETERIORATION
Field(s)/Group(s):
Agricultural Engineering, Geography, Civil Engineering
Keyword(s):
HELMAND VALLEY(AFGHANISTAN), HELMAND RIVER(AFGHANISTAN), HELMAND ARGHANDAB VALLEY DEVELOPMENT, ARGHANDAB RIVER(AFGHANISTAN), HELMAND PROVINCE(AFGHANISTAN), KANDAHAR PROVINCE(AFGHANISTAN), AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, ARABLE LAND, CORRUPTION, CULTIVATED LAND, ECONOMIC SURVEYS, FARMERS, INSTITUTIONAL IMPACT, INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, IRRIGATION, LAND RECLAMATION, MACROECONOMIC IMPACT, NOMAD SETTLEMENT, NOMADS, POLITICAL ECONOMY, RESETTLEMENT, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, SALINIZATION, SETTLERS, SOCIAL IMPACT, SOCIAL SERVICES, SOIL CONDITIONS, SOIL DETERIORATION
Report Date:
1983 Dec 01
Creation Date:
2010 May 05